Ask MetaFilter posts by Grangousier

Can I or someone else repair my Godin Multiac?

Grangousier — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:33:21 -0800

Problem with Godin Multiac Nylon String Synth-access guitar - specifically the RMC pickup. A mishap (falling off a guitar stand) resulted in the bottom two strings on my Godin Multiac (this guitar) giving severely attenuated signals. I'd like to be able to check whether it's a loose wire or something I can remedy myself, but the access plates on the back don't let me get to the pickup wiring and I can't work out how I might check it. Is there a trick to getting at the pickup electronics on this guitar? Does the bridge come off in a replaceable way at all?

If even that much is beyond me (which is probably the case) does anyone know of someone in the London UK area who has experience with and can repair these guitars? (I got in contact with someone in Manchester a while ago, but nothing came of it. I'd rather it was someone local).

An email to Godin didn't garner a reply, but I didn't think it would.

Change XP System Language?

Grangousier — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 07:22:38 -0800

Multiple languages (Japanese + English) for multiple users in Windows XP Home? In Japan recently I bought a tiny Kohjinsha laptop computer, which came with Windows XP Home pre-installed. I'm terminally unfamiliar with Windows, particularly setting it up. All I really want to use Windows for is checking how websites/CSS work in Internet Explorer, and ultimately I'll mostly be running it in some flavour of Linux. The challenge of partitioning and dual-booting a computer without a CD/DVD drive can wait until I've got more time and energy, however, so for the time being it can stay in Windows, as long as I can get it to work for me.

What I'd like to do is set it up so that both my Japanese wife and I can use it in our native languages. According to what I can glean from the Internet, not only is this not possible, it's also not possible to change the system language from Japanese at all. I find this difficult to believe. The Microsoft Help pages don't.

Be advised that I'm coming from OS X, where this is basically reordering a list in the International System Preferences pane.

Am I being unbelievably stupid?

Animation about a man and his perambulatory buildings

Grangousier — Tue, 21 Feb 2006 14:59:17 -0800

ForgottenAnimationFilter - a man goes for a walk every Sunday. His house and shed feel abandoned, so they decide to follow him (on legs). I remember this chap walking along oblivious to the fact that right behind him are two walking buildings. On the BBC around 1968 / 1969 / 1970, probably on a Sunday evening (just before bathtime). I remember the style as being Gilliamesque (although I wouldn't necessarily have used that word when I was five years old). Bob Godfrey-esque is another possibility.

Aerolineas Argentinas - Yea or nay?

Grangousier — Thu, 02 Feb 2006 03:53:51 -0800

Would it be sensible to fly Aerolineas Argentinas in April, or is strike action still possible? I need to fly to Mendoza in early April - I've been warned against flying Aerolineas Argentinas, because of all the strike action at the end of last year. However looking around (a) they could be a lot cheaper and (b) it seems like the dispute was settled, so I don't want to rule them out.

Getting from Luton Airport to SE1

Grangousier — Mon, 08 Aug 2005 14:27:25 -0800

What's the easiest and best way to get from Luton Airport to Central London (Waterloo/Elephant and Castle area), on a Friday night at about 23:00? A friend is flying in to Luton on Friday (landing at 22:10, so I'm guessing through baggage/passport/etc an hour later), staying over at mine and going on in the morning. I've never used that airport, so I have no experience of getting here from there, and it seems like a very tricky time to do it (drunks, etc).

I have checked out the timetables and so forth, but I would like to be able to give simple instructions for how to get here. Does any experienced via-Luton traveller have any suggestions for the best way?